“Yet you say, ‘The Lord’s conduct is unjust!’ Hear, O house of Israel: Is my conduct unjust? Is it not your conduct that is unjust?

Yet the house of Israel says, ‘The Lord’s conduct is unjust!’ Is my conduct unjust, O house of Israel? Is it not your conduct that is unjust?

I cannot carry out my fierce anger! I cannot totally destroy Ephraim! Because I am God, and not man – the Holy One among you – I will not come in wrath!

She is disobedient; she refuses correction. She does not trust the Lord; she does not seek the advice of her God.

“You must not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people.

But if he does not wash his clothes and does not bathe his body, he will bear his punishment for iniquity.’”

So I responded to you, “Do not be terrified of them!

Is not their excess wealth taken away from them? They die, yet without attaining wisdom.

He returns no more to his house, nor does his place of residence know him any more.

Then would I speak and not fear him, but it is not so with me.

If his sons are honored, he does not know it; if they are brought low, he does not see it.

Does he argue with useless talk, with words that have no value in them?

What do you know that we don’t know? What do you understand that we don’t understand?

If God places no trust in his holy ones, if even the heavens are not pure in his eyes,

People who had seen him will not see him again, and the place where he was will recognize him no longer.

He gives back the ill-gotten gain without assimilating it; he will not enjoy the wealth from his commerce.

For he knows no satisfaction in his appetite; he does not let anything he desires escape.

Their bulls breed without fail; their cows calve and do not miscarry.

Have you never questioned those who travel the roads? Do you not recognize their accounts –

In the north when he is at work, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I see no trace of him.